Gastroschisis Awareness Day 2016

WHEREAS, gastroschisis is a birth defect that causes the intestines to protrude from the abdomen; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, one out of every 2,229 people are born with gastroschisis; and

WHEREAS, many Americans living with gastroschisis have debilitating conditions, including slow growth, short bowel syndrome, multiple organ transplants, and long term feeding issues; and

WHEREAS, the causes of gastroschisis remain largely unknown, and more research is needed; and

WHEREAS, Avery’s Angels works to support families experiencing gastroschisis and to fund further research; and

WHEREAS, Avery John Rauen, the son of the founder of Avery’s Angels, passed away from gastroschisis complications on July 30, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Gastroschisis Awareness Day commemorates all those affected by gastroschisis;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terence R. McAuliffe, do hereby recognize July 30, 2016, as GASTROSCHISIS AWARENESS DAY in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.